If somebody had told me, when I was twenty, that in couple years I would move to Buenos Aires, Argentina, I might have thought that this person is cracked. But I’ve come to notice, that my choices in life have brought me far from my birth home in North Karelia, but to Buenos Aires… one of the big cities of South-America? How could this country girl from Karelia ever readjust to live in there. Answer is: just fine.
After I have enjoyed my morning coffee with some medilunas at my apartment, I decide to spent this beautiful Sunday day doing some shopping. The day starts positively, because couple kisses to cheeks and word exchange with acquaintances and neighbours really gives boost to the day. Happiness, calmness and positive attitude to life describes well the citizens of Buenos Aires. I’m lucky, because I’m already able to communicate with locals in Spanish. English isn’t well spoken in here, but a tourist will get along in English. Hands are also part of communication! Traffic is everyday problem in Buenos Aires, specially in city centre, so even today I decide to take underground. I haven’t been able to get behind the steering wheel, because finish driving customs don’t apply here. Attitude ”go where you fit to go”, doesn’t fit into my routines and I’ve accept to relay on driving skills of locals. I still remember my first cab trip from airport to my apartment. Most of the time I sat with my eyes closed squeezing the seat at the same time, because I was sure that soon we will crash.
Underground line A is tourist sight by it’s own right, for it’s been well care of by the locals. In there you can see glimpse of the glamour of 40-50’s Argentina, when the country was among five most wealthiest countries in the world. Now days only remains of that era are the magnificent buildings on Avenida de Mayo, one way street that connects to Playa de Mayo and Playa de Congresso. When I walked first time at these streets I felt like I was in Madrid or in Paris. Buenos Aires isn’t uselessly said to be an European city. It is, because it’s mood and for it’s architecture. On walking street Florida there is big crowds. If nowhere else then here tourists should keep eye on their bags, because crowd contains lots of pickpockets and tourists are the best targets. I’ve never felt unsafe here in Buenos Aires - in other cities in Argentina I have, but not here.
In every great city there surely is places where outsiders haven’t got any business. In Buenos Aires those place are outside the city, both to south and west located villas, slum areas. In there are living mainly workers, less fortuned and also local criminals. When even the police has trouble getting there, I wouldn’t also go there to wander. But even in central there is easy to spot many beggar children with their families. Many of them spend their day in crossroad washing car windows to earn some money. Country’s financial state is stable, but bad. To us Europeans Argentina is very cheap shopping place, where is lost to choose from. You can’t haggle over the prices in regular store or at the shopping centre, but little help from locals leather jacket could get new owner in a very reasonable price just with a little conversation of the price.

[Translation by Heppan] I hear the bypassing tourists plan their evening-programme. Some of them are going to head for Esquina Homero Manzi tangorestaurant in the corner of San Juan and Boedo. There the visitors have a chanse to get familiar with the local tango-culture and magic of music, along with good food. For me, the local foodculture was a surprise, since before I moved here I thought all south-americans loved spicy food. But here in Argentina no one cares about spice. Beside salt and pepper also lemon-juise is used as spices both at home and in restaurants The world's best meat (steak) comes from Argentina, you can't but agree woth that, and the food is overall very good! The art of tango and culture is something at least the older people are very proud of. I've often discussed the differences and similarities of Finnish and Argentinan tango with them. I've not have time for Argentinan tangolessons yet. Maybe sometimes... Today I spent the Sunday evening in the sign of football with my friends, because San Lorenzo-football team plays on their own stadio. There are about ten stadios in Buenos Aires, which is often also used for big international rock-concerts. The football game here is always is always an experience, because football is the national sport and in importance comparable religion. It's "abnormal" if a boychild who recently learned to walk soon don't start kicking the ball with his dad's instructions. I didn't care much about football earlier, but when the Argentinan football-fever struck, it took me. As the game is running it's still good to know, from which door to walk in and where to sit, so you don't get into the middle of the fanatic fans. Here the opponent-supporters don't sit in the same place as in Finland.
After returning home from a awsome game I ordered a couple of empanadas. Here you can even get the laundry folded and washed straight to your door, if the mother of the family feels lazy. You can order what food you'd ever think about: sushi, pasta, schnitzels... but unfortunately the locals don't make Karelia pies (just so you know, it was Reddawn's suggestion) While being in Buenos Aires I most miss the Finnish nature, greenness, space and silence. Here you don't get to enjoy the nature except for a couple of parks, and the sound of the traffic is continuing in the city where it lives about 16 millions inhabitants. I have, however, got acclimatized here well, and the knowledge of having a loving home also in Finland, ease the Finland- regret in my mind.

Jewellery collection

Tarja loves jewels, so when she was asked to create her own jewellery collection in 2006, she said "yes" without thinking twice.

The collection can be bought at Tarja's official shop. You can find:
- a pendant with chain (embossed) (240€)
- a pendant with chain (flat) (160€)
- a bracelet (195€)
- earrings (small) (98€)
- earrings (big) (138€)

The collection is called "Clouds" and all the jewels are made with silver.